Facebook hires top ex-Google executive for internet projects

New York: Social media giant Facebook has hired a co-founder of Google’s Fibre high-speed internet project to beef up its internet connectivity team.

According to tech newssite Re/Code, the social network has hired Kevin Lo as its Director of Infrastructure Connectivity and Investments to help lead Facebook’s partnerships such as Terragraph — a project to bring Wi-Fi to dense urban areas and Facebook’s partnership with Microsoft to build a fibre optic cable.

Lo later confirmed his appointment on his Facebook Page, saying that he wants to bring onboard over four billion people who lag behind in terms of using high-speed internet services.

“…so I’m excited to let you know I’m joining Facebook this month as Director of Infrastructure Connectivity and Investments. I’ll help shape our strategy and investments with partners to build wireless technologies and ecosystems that improve global connectivity,” he wrote.

However, Lo would not look after the Free Basics, Facebook’s initiative for developing countries for cheaper, faster access to internet for those who can’t access it otherwise.

The report also mentioned that Facebook was not planning to become an internet service provider like Google Fibre.

Lo joined Google in 2010 and co-founded the company’s Fibre project, along with managing its product, business, and operations. He left the company in 2015, shortly before its reorganisation and new name in August, the report quoted from his LinkedIn profile.